“Prank?”
“I was working late, and she lied to me and to North Hunter to get us in the library together after the staff had been dismissed. Then she locked us in. All night.”
“Why?”
This was the embarrassing part. Well, another embarrassing part. “She was trying to play matchmaker.”
“With you and North?”
“Nothing is going on between us,” I reassured him. “I wouldn’t cross the line with a member.”
Lachlan grimaced. “Aria, not that I’m encouraging you to sleep with our members, but I’d be a bloody hypocrite if I enforced a no-fraternization rule between you and them. I married my head of security’s daughter. And before that, I’d had relationships with club members. It’s different for us than for other staff members. We run in the same circles as our members. Attraction happens.”
“Nothing is happening between me and North Hunter,” I insisted. “But we drank some whisky that I will replace, I promise.”
Lachlan’s lips twitched in amusement.
“And, um, Wakefield discovered us this morning and let us out, and I haven’t explained to him what happened.”
“No need.” My boss waved off the suggestion. “Wakefield is the soul of discretion. He won’t mention it to anyone.”
“You’re not mad?”
“That depends on North Hunter’s response.”
“He is …” I felt a pang of emotion I didn’t quite understand. “An easygoing guy. He didn’t seem to be put out by the situation.”
Lachlan grinned. “Oh, I bet not.”
I could feel my cheeks heating and was glad my olive skin didn’t blush. “Well, I was thinking we should compensate Mr. Hunter for his night. Maybe even a few nights.”
“Make the entire week complimentary.” My boss peered at me. “Is this why you called me in?”
“Yes, in part. The other thing is that there was no way out of the library once we were locked in. If there was a fire and someone got locked in there, it’s a problem.”
Lachlan nodded. “It came up when we were refurbishing the castle, and the windows were enough to pass fire inspection. Plus we’d thought the likelihood of anyone getting locked in there was slim.” I flushed again at his dry tone, cursing my sister to hell. “What do you suggest?”
“I think the least intrusive idea has some expense to it.”
“Go on.”
“I think we should convert one of the windows into a door.”
Lachlan nodded again. “Aye, that sounds logical. I’ll deal with it.”
“Are you sure? I can handle it.”
“No, it’s fine. I have a contact who helped refurbish some windows years ago. I’ll call you to let you know when they’ll be out to measure. Is there anything else?”
“That’s it for now.”
“Great.” He stood, towering over me. “Now go home.”
I gaped up at him. “What? Now?”
“Aye, now.”
“But I have work.”
